title: Formal research training during surgical residency: scaffolding for academic success.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a formal surgical research program (leading to a postgraduate degree) during residency, on future research productivity.
  
  
  METHODS
  We surveyed all North American graduates of the McGill University general surgery residency program between 1987 and 2005. The survey included questions on research involvement before, during, and after general surgery residency. This was combined with a literature search revealing all research publications of the participants. Outcomes were the yearly average of publications and awarded funding as faculty members.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-five of 119 graduates (63%) responded. Staff physicians who had participated in formal research programs during residency (n = 35), compared with those who had not (n = 40), produced more publications per year (2.8 ± 2.3 vs 1.1 ± 1.2, P < .01) and had greater funding success (81% vs 55%, P = .03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Residents who had participated in formal research programs during residency were more likely to have greater academic success.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Paquette
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: Shannon A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Fraser
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: Liane S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Feldman
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: Sarkis
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Meterissian
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: Gerald M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Fried
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada; Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Montreal, Québec, Canada. Electronic address: simon.bergman@mcgill.ca.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bergman
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000191:economics / Q000193:education*; D002170:Canada; D002321:Career Choice; D005180:Faculty, Medical; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D009042:Motivation; D011643:Publishing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012109:Research Support as Topic; D014481:United States
keywords: Education; Research training; Residency